He didn't respond specifically on Thursday to a report that the
team is considering trading him because of his recent requests for
more money. But Culpepper offered his take on the rumors that have
surrounded him since the season ended.

"I have found over the years that people with knowledge of the
situation are usually the most ignorant, and anonymous sources are
usually synonymous with cowards who don't want to go on the
record," Culpepper said in an e-mail to ESPN and The Associated Press. "My
position has been and continues to be that I am focusing on
rehabilitating my knee so that I can come back and play the game I
love at the highest level.

"Until I hear different from Mr. Wilf or the new 'triangle of
authority' at the Vikings, I plan on playing quarterback for
Minnesota. Trying to delve into speculation, innuendo, rumor or
anything else of this nature would be a waste of energy. I choose
at this time to spend my energy on getting healthy. Thank you for
relaying this message to the public."

The Star Tribune of Minneapolis, citing an anonymous person with
knowledge of the situation, reported Thursday that the team is
gauging Culpepper's trade value in response to his contract
demands. The newspaper, citing three anonymous sources with
knowledge of the situation, also reported that Culpepper tried
three times in a six-week period ending Jan. 31 to upgrade his
deal.

Culpepper let his longtime agent, Mason Ashe, go last month. He has been representing himself since then, saying he wanted to be more involved in his financial business.

The Vikings, coincidentally, introduced their new vice president
of player personnel, Fran Foley, at a news conference at their
headquarters. But Foley wouldn't address this subject, or much of
anything else, and owner Zygi Wilf did not take questions.

"My position will be that we're not going to talk about our
football business in public," Foley said. "It's just not going to
happen. It's not the way that I do business, and it won't be the
way that we'll do business from this point forward."

Foley, who spent the last three seasons with San Diego and the
nine years before that with Jacksonville as a personnel official,
was asked twice more for general comments on Culpepper. He
declined.

"Whether it's Daunte or another player," Foley said, "I can't
give you an evaluation on him as a performer -- or our plans with
the player."

Culpepper, who was picked for his third Pro Bowl following a
record-setting year in 2004, struggled badly through the first part
of the 2005 season before tearing the anterior cruciate, medial
collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his knee during a
game against Carolina last Oct. 30.

He had surgery on Nov. 15 and has since spent most of his time
rehabilitating in Florida. He spoke last month by phone with new
coach Brad Childress, who said at his introductory news conference
that the 29-year-old Culpepper "right now, is the franchise
quarterback."

But that doesn't mean he will continue to be, despite Wilf's
previous pledge to pay Culpepper a $6 million bonus he's due in
March.

Though he has maintained his innocence, Culpepper's image was
tainted after a wild boat party produced three misdemeanor charges
for him and three teammates. The Vikings also must judge his
on-field value, considering veteran quarterback Brad Johnson's
success in relief and the uncertainty of Culpepper's health
following such a catastrophic injury.